1952 United States Senate election in Connecticut

The 1952 United States Senate election in Connecticut was held on November 4, 1952. Incumbent Democratic Senator William Benton, who won a special election to complete the term of retiring Senator Raymond Baldwin, was defeated by Republican William A. Purtell after serving only 2 years.

General election

Candidates

• William Benton, incumbent senator since 1949 (Democratic)
• Vivien Kellems, industrialist, inventor, and tax protester (Independent Republican)
• Jasper McLevy, Mayor of Bridgeport and perennial candidate for statewide office (Socialist)
• William A. Purtell, businessman and candidate for governor in 1950^[a]

Campaign

During the campaign, Brien McMahon, the Class III Senator from Connecticut, died. Governor John Davis Lodge appointed Purtell, already the Republican nominee for this Class I seat, to serve as interim Senator in McMahon's place until a special election could be held.^[b]

Purtell supported General Dwight D. Eisenhower's campaign platform against "communism, corruption, and Korea."^[1] Benton accused Purtell of being so conservative that he "makes Bob Taft look like a left-wing New Dealer."^[2]

Results

Notes

1. As of August 29, 1952, Purtell was actually serving as Connecticut's interim Class III Senator after the death of Senator Brien McMahon. Governor John Davis Lodge appointed Purtell to succeed McMahon, but Purtell was not a candidate in the special election to succeed McMahon, which was held the same day and won by Prescott Bush.
2. The special election to succeed Purtell in the other seat was held the same day and won by Prescott Bush.

References

1. Current Biography Yearbook. H.W. Wilson Company. 1952.
2. "William Purtell, 81; Served in the Senate from 1952 to 1959". The New York Times. June 1, 1978.
3. "Our Campaigns - CT US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1952".